Identity: What Shapes Us?

By Tom Wilkens,

Pastors are well versed in the truth that we are created in the image of God, and that who we are in Christ is foundational to our God-designed identity. Social scientists have observed that our human experience in relationships shapes us in a cyclical, developmental process that influences our sense of belonging, worth, and competence. Theologians have noted that this triad of identity components is ultimately and fully rooted in relationship with the triune God – belonging (Father); worth (Son); competence (Holy Spirit).

Samuel Perry, PhD, a Dallas Theological Seminary graduate who completed his doctoral work in sociology and now serves as a professor of sociology at the University of Oklahoma, shared insights on a recent DTS podcast with Bill Hendricks (4/18/23) that caught my attention. He mentioned that recent sociological studies point to a significant shift in how our culture shapes us.

Dr. Perry noted that less than a generation ago, three social factors typically shaped our identity: nuclear family, church affiliation, and local community. Today, however, this has shifted to broken family, political affiliation, and sexual self-identification.

The biblical foundations of being created in God’s image and rooting who we are in Christ remain central to our God-designed identity. Relationships that foster a healthy experience of belonging, worth, and competence continue to be critical for the well-being of all people. We must be wise to the sociological shift in our culture that now typically shapes our sense of identity — broken family, political affiliation, and sexual self-identification. This awareness informs our pastoring and preaching.

VCM Communique, June 2023